MORAGA, Calif. - The Saint Mary's women's soccer team fell 1–0 to the No. 1 team in the nation, Stanford. 
 
FIRST HALF SMC 0-1 STANFORD
Saint Mary's put a stump on Stanford's goals coming within five minutes at the start of the game; however, Cardinal Andrea Kitahata headed the ball in the 11th minute of the game to give Stanford the lead. 
 
In the 30th minute, Saint Mary's had one of their best chances to score for the night. After Savannah Schwarze gained possession in the midfield, she passed it to her teammate to the left side, allowing Briana Salvetti to fight for it at the top of the box. Salvetti, with one more pass, allowed Saint Mary's to launch the ball into the box. With the pass intended for Schwarze, Stanford goalkeeper Haley Craig ran out colliding with Schwarze to gain possession. 
 
The first half of the match relied majority on SMC's defense with Stanford maintaining 63% of possession and attempting a total of five shots. Saint Mary's goalkeeper Kate Plachy was able to save two of these five shots. 
 
FINAL SMC 0-1 STANFORD
The Gaels came out of the first half with a changed mindset. Forty-seven seconds into the game Briana Salvetti attempted the first shot of the night for the Gaels. Cardinal Kitahata attempted another shot in the 55th minute, with another save for Kate Plachy. 
 
Saint Mary's applied pressure in Cardinal territory with Taylor Kessler shooting wide right for the Gaels. Once again putting pressure on Saint Mary's defense, Stanford continued to take shots challenging Plachy. 
 
The Gaels had a perfect opportunity to put one in the back of the net in the 79th minute. With the SMC backline gaining possession, Khalia Gathright made a long pass down the field where Sydney Middaugh outran her defender and brought the ball down to the wing. Middaugh with the cross to Tessa Salvestrin, but Salvestrin was just one step ahead with the ball hitting her thigh causing the ball to go right back to Stanford. 
 
Saint Mary's continued to battle with Emmie Ennis regaining possession for the Gaels and passing it to Shwarze. She passes it to Middaugh, where Middaugh attempts to cross the pass one more time, but Stanford defense, in the right spot, heads the ball out. 
 
By the end of the match, Saint Mary's contained the Cardinal to eight total shots with the Gaels taking two, along with Plachy making four saves.
 
LOOKING AHEAD 
Saint Mary's falls to a 2-3-1 overall record and will be on the road for the next three matches. Their next match will be in Berkeley as they take on Cal on Thursday, September 12th at 4:00 PM. Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information. 
 
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